Extraction and export of granite

---

Post Date: 23 Jul 2009    Viewed: 579

The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri B.K. Handique has said that granite is a minor mineral defined under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) and as per Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, all powers to make rules and grant mineral concessions for minor minerals have been given to the concerned State Governments. The Central Government has notified the Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999 on 1st June, 1999, to conserve the granite resources and to prescribe a uniform frame work with regard to systematic and scientific exploitation of granite throughout the country.



Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Handique informed that the Central Government has constituted a Granite Development Council (GDC) including various stakeholders to discuss and redressal issue raised by granite industry.



As on 1.4.2005 an estimated reserve of 1130 million cubic meters of reserves are available in the country, of which 86% are located in Madhya Pradesh, 7% in Orissa and the remaining 7% are located in the States of Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.



Details of export of granite and granite products from India in terms of quantity and value from 2005-06 to 2008-09 are as under:

In the year 2007-08, there had been a decline of 9% in the exports of granite and products over the previous year. Exports of granite had been hit especially in the US market and other developed markets because of the allegation on emission of radioactive radon.



Government provides opportunities for buyer-seller meet through Chemicals & Allied Products Exports Promotion Council (CAPEXIL) and promotion of industry through schemes like Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme, grant of Duty Entitlement Passbook credit etc.